In a major development for Britain’s sustainability agenda, WRAP has announced the transformation of the long-running Courtauld Commitment into the newly named UK Food and Drink Pact.
Launched in February, the rebrand signifies a bold shift in strategy, with the goal of tackling food waste, curbing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and improving water stewardship throughout the nation’s food and drink sector.
Since its inception in 2005, the Courtauld Commitment has been at the forefront of efforts to create a more circular food system. Early phases concentrated on reducing household food and packaging waste, averting millions of tonnes from landfill and saving billions of pounds in costs.
Subsequent iterations widened the initiative’s scope to include supply chains and hospitality, laying the groundwork for sector-wide collaboration. However, by 2021, it became clear that Courtauld 2025—its most recent phase—was not ambitious enough to address the rapidly escalating environmental challenges the UK and the wider world now face.
The new UK Food and Drink Pact is designed to build on the successes of its predecessor while addressing its shortcomings. Crucially, it aims to offer a more transparent and recognisable identity: the name “Courtauld” was seen by some as lacking clarity and failing to communicate the project’s objectives to businesses and consumers alike. As Cailey Grice, Delivery Manager for the Pact, put it, “The rebranding is a statement of intent, one that makes our mission clear and emphasises the urgency of the changes required.”
Membership of the Pact is structured across four tiers—Delivery Signatories, Affiliates, Associates, and Engagement Partners—ensuring that every organisation, from major retailers to local charities, can contribute. High-profile signatories such as Tesco and Nestlé will be expected to take a leadership role on reducing GHG emissions, preventing waste, and introducing responsible water-management practices across supply chains. Meanwhile, smaller businesses and public-sector bodies will benefit from shared resources, pilot projects, and ongoing support, reinforcing inclusivity and collective responsibility.
Central to the Pact’s strategy are two targeted roadmaps, focusing on food waste reduction and water stewardship. Developed in collaboration with industry experts, these frameworks supply clear metrics and actionable steps to drive sustained progress. One headline goal is to halve per capita food waste by 2030 (against a 2007 baseline), aligning the UK with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12.3. Another is to cut sector-wide GHG emissions by 50%, reflecting the urgent need for climate action.
However, WRAP’s ambitious targets come with challenges. Observers point to the experience of the UK Plastics Pact, which faced obstacles meeting its 2025 goals, highlighting the difficulties in relying solely on voluntary commitments. Moreover, economic uncertainties, such as rising energy costs and geopolitical tensions, could strain the resources available for transformative change.
Despite these potential headwinds, the UK Food and Drink Pact heralds a new era of focused, collaborative action for British sustainability. By strengthening accountability, enhancing visibility, and raising the bar on environmental targets, WRAP and its partners have signalled a renewed determination to achieve a thriving food system—one that respects both economic realities and the planet’s finite resources.
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